Qi Tongwei: Sign-in relationship started during student days

Chapter 1121 Hou Liangping Under Investigation

Zhong Xiaoai tapped her fingertips lightly on the table: "Comrade Hou Liangping, I did not say that the case you handled was a miscarriage of justice, nor did I say that the people you arrested were innocent."

What we are discussing now is whether the corruption you are investigating has any bias.

According to insiders, many of the people you dealt with were dissatisfied with your father-in-law, Zhao Lichun.

This makes it hard not to suspect your motives for investigating the case.

For the first time, Hou Liangping deeply understood the feelings of those he had punished back then.

It's simply irrefutable and indescribable.

Hou Liangping could no longer suppress his anger and slammed his fist on the table. "This is utter nonsense! According to what you're saying, can I understand that you're targeting me and my father-in-law?"

Despite Hou Liangping's agitation, Zhong Xiaoai remained calm and composed.

"That's right, you can understand it that way, because I came here on orders to investigate you, so it's not untrue that it was targeted."

Similarly, is your anti-corruption investigation as targeted as mine? Please answer.

……

While Hou Liangping was under investigation by the National Commission for Discipline Inspection and was embroiled in endless trouble, Haizhou, 300 kilometers away, presented a completely different scene of dazzling lights and being the center of attention.

Inside the VIP private room of Haizhou State Guesthouse, crystal chandeliers shimmered and the aroma of wine filled the air.

Qi Tongwei entered slowly, surrounded by Qi Bin and the entire leadership team of Haizhou.

The group had just accompanied Qi Tongwei on a week-long inspection tour of Haizhou.

During this period, they visited Jiangchang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Modern Agricultural Industrial Park, Urban Renewal Demonstration Zone, People's Livelihood Service Center and key enterprises.

They visited projects on-site, toured grassroots communities, and listened to reports, conducting thorough investigations and assessments of key tasks in Haizhou, including industrial upgrading, urban-rural integration, business environment optimization, and modernization of grassroots governance.

Based on the overall development plan of Handong Province, Qi Tongwei put forward a series of practical and feasible guiding opinions, including extending and supplementing the industrial chain, improving the quality and efficiency of industrial parks, refining public services, and transforming ecological value.

It not only affirmed Haizhou's current development achievements, but also clarified the ideas and pointed out the direction for high-quality development in the next stage, which was unanimously recognized and wholeheartedly supported by cadres at all levels in Haizhou.

The inspection yielded solid results and remarkable achievements. This banquet at the state guesthouse served not only as a welcome dinner and a summary of the work, but also as a sincere thank you to this young deputy provincial leader for returning to his hometown to guide the work.

"Comrade Tongwei, please." Qi Bin stepped aside and gestured respectfully, pointing directly to the head of the table.

Qi Tongwei quickly waved his hand, his smile humble yet perfectly measured: "No, no, no, old leader, you are the local official, and I am a guest from afar. How can a guest usurp the host's place?"

Qi Bin insisted, "But your guest is no ordinary person; he is a deputy provincial-level leader. According to the rules of officialdom, you must be the host."

Qi Tongwei smiled gently and said calmly, "What leader or not, in front of the old leader, I will always be the junior."

Seeing this, Qi Bin stopped insisting and laughed loudly: "Alright, then I'll respectfully accept your offer! Comrade Tongwei is both high-ranking and knows how to be polite, that's rare indeed."

Having said that, he walked to the head seat and gestured for Qi Tongwei to sit in the most honored seat beside him. The group of Haizhou leaders took their seats in turn, their movements synchronized and their expressions respectful. The atmosphere in the private room was harmonious and orderly, yet it also carried a silent sense of awe.

Qi Bin glanced at Qi Tongwei, silently sighing for the umpteenth time.

In less than four years, this young man who used to work under him has caught up with him and climbed over him.

The seemingly insurmountable barriers of officialdom appeared nonexistent in Qi Tongwei's case. At thirty-two, he was a deputy provincial-level official—a rare talent indeed, even in the entire Handong region and across the country, a truly remarkable feat.

Looking at his demeanor now, even though he was just sitting idly at the table, he exuded a powerful aura of someone who had long held a high position and wielded power. He was calm and reserved, and his authority was evident even without anger. Even the municipal party secretary couldn't help but lower his head and be obedient, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Looking at the group of people sitting around, besides the newly appointed mayor of Haizhou who succeeded Gao Yuliang, the remaining deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and secretary of the political and legal committee, there were also several veteran comrades from the People's Congress and the CPPCC. Back then, which one of them wasn't Qi Tongwei's leader?

But now, in just five or six years, everyone has to be respectful and speak softly in front of him. Even when raising a glass to toast, they have to secretly glance at Qi Tongwei's expression first.

After a few casual words, the banquet moved on to the toasting ceremony.

Wen Qingchen, the lowest-ranking person at the table, was the first to stand up, holding his wine glass tightly in both hands and bowing slightly: "Committee Member Qi, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to return to Haizhou for inspection and guidance."

I have benefited greatly this week.

Let me set an example and offer you a toast.

On behalf of the Haizhou Municipal Party Committee and Government, and the Jiangchang County Party Committee and Government, we would like to extend our warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to you for your visit!

At the same time, thank you for laying such a solid and excellent foundation for the development of Haizhou and Jiangchang back then; we are still benefiting from it today!

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Qi Tongwei, who was sitting next to the head of the table, waiting for him to continue.

"Comrade Qingchen, you are too kind. To be frank, returning to Haizhou feels like coming home. My old leaders, old friends, and old colleagues are here. Being with you all makes me feel like I've returned to the days when I worked in Haizhou."

That was the most fulfilling and unforgettable period of my career.

I dare not take credit for Haizhou's development.

Every step of Haizhou's development is the result of the hard work and dedication of all the senior colleagues present here. I have only done what I was supposed to do.

Qi Tongwei raised his glass slightly, giving a gentle nod to the crowd.

"Therefore, I would like to offer this toast to everyone first."

Thank you for your kindness and support, leaders and friends. I wish Haizhou a brighter future, with its people living in peace and prosperity, and all its undertakings reaching new heights!

After saying that, he took the lead in drinking the wine in his glass, his movements calm and composed.

"it is good."

Qi Bin led the applause, and all the leaders at the table raised their glasses in response, instantly filling the entire private room with laughter and cheers.

After they were seated, Qi Bin warmly invited Qi Tongwei to taste the local specialties on the table, and kept introducing the new changes and achievements of Haizhou in recent years, his words full of pride.

Qi Tongwei listened attentively, nodding in approval from time to time. He occasionally recalled amusing anecdotes from his time working at the grassroots level, which drew frequent laughter from the audience, making the atmosphere at the table even more harmonious.

Just as the guests and hosts were enjoying themselves, the phone in my pocket vibrated slightly.

Qi Tongwei took a moment to pick up his phone and glanced down at it.

It's an encrypted message, only one line long:

"Hou Liangping was stopped by Zhong Xiaoai of the Central Investigation Team when he returned to the Provincial Procuratorate from Yantai. He has been taken away for questioning at the designated time and place!"

[Tomorrow is my official holiday, so I'm making up for it!!!]